The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

Situated on a riverside close to Heian Shrine, the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK) was an annex of the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo before becoming independent in 1967. With a mission of collecting and preserving 20th-century artworks from both Japan and around the world, MoMAK’s permanent collection of around 13,000 works encompasses painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics and more. All this is drawn upon to form consistently compelling special exhibitions, with MoMAK also playing host to world-class touring shows. After getting your cultural fix, head to the café’s tranquil and leafy open terrace.